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From: "Joe Mayer" jmayer AT insight DOT rr DOT com
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 2021 06:09:52 -0400
Subject: Re: (erielack) Switch Timer Locks
"Spring_switches_ETT_67_KentDiv_1962-10-28b.jpg" - image/jpeg, 1088x923 (24bit)

I really appreciate Larry Stone's comments, especially the feedback
regarding the manual crossovers configuration being tied into the ABS signal
logic. I assumed that might be the case, but hadn't been able to confirm
it. And like he points out, knocking down the ABS signals by simply
reversing the crossover did provide some added protection, but did not
convey authority for a crossover movement.

I have attached two pages from the 1962 Kent Div ETT showing the info about
the spring-switch dwarf timers. (Later combined ETTs don't have this sort
of detail that I could find.) It shows the instructions for the
switch-key-operated dwarfs signal timers. I agree with Larry's assessment
that these devices did not convey authority to occupy the main. That came
from the DS. They appear to have been simply a way to enforce a 4-minute
timed delay to allow the passage of any movement that (accurately or not)
was causing an occupancy indication on the approach circuit. They also
allowed the crew to act on the authority received from the DS to occupy the
main without the 4-minute delay if there was no detection of anything on the
approach circuit.

The ETT also shows the locations of a total of three electric switch locks
located between Kent and Dayton. These were switch-key-controlled lock
timers with indicators, not remotely controlled locks. These would likely
have been similar to the device in the photo provided by Abram. Again, as
Larry pointed out, all authority came from calling the DS. These devices
appear to have been simply an overlapping safety device that enforced a
4-minute delay.

(The ETT is available on Jon Liles' website: jon-n-bevliles.net/RAILROAD.)

Thanks,
Joe Mayer


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